BNPS.co.uk (01202 558833)<br /> Pic: NorfolkMuseum/BNPS<br /> <br /> Back on show after 100 years...<br /> <br /> Staff at Norwich Museum reveal one of the earliest captured French Tricolour's from the Napoleonic Wars -  which was dramatically siezed from the French warship Le G&eacute;n&eacute;reux, on February 18, 1800.<br /> <br /> The huge Ensign of Le G&eacute;n&eacute;reux (it measures 16m x 8.3m &ndash; roughly the size of a tennis-court) is one of the most iconic objects connected to Norfolk&rsquo;s most famous son, Admiral Lord Nelson.<br /> <br /> Evidence suggests that it is, quite possibly, one of the earliest, if not the earliest, Tricolour in existence. The design of the French Tricolour as we know it today &ndash; with the order of colours from left to right running blue, white and red &ndash; was the new flag of the French Republic after the 1794 revolution.<br /> <br /> Ruth Battersby-Tooke, Curator of Costume and Textiles at Norwich Castle, said: &ldquo;The Ensign is remarkable for its survival in such a complete state, the oldest French Ensign in the UK and the one with the most stirring and thrilling history.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> It will form the centrepiece of this summer&rsquo;s Nelson &amp; Norfolk exhibition, at Norwich Castle Museum &amp; Art Gallery, which explores Nelson&rsquo;s relationship with his home county (on view from July 29 to October 1, 2017).<br />  <br /> ***These images are available for editorial purposes only in connection with the exhibition Nelson &amp; Norfolk at Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery***
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